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with the idea and had laughed so heartily at it that the knife with which he was threatening one of the whores slipped and brought her a premature peace. |
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That little accident annoyed John. He would not go further with bestowing Alinor on one or the other of his companions that night. By the following afternoon, when he woke after a most pleasant and refreshing sleep, the notion had regained its appeal. He had sent for the companions of his peculiar pleasures and smiled upon both impartially. |
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"Now you know that I love you both well," the king began mellifluously. He was amused by the wary fearfulness that woke in both pairs of hard eyes, but he did not allow himself to be led down the pleasant byway of watching his men grovel this time. "Thus I am willing to expose myself to my barons' blame in order to gain for one of you a rich prize." |
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The men both bowed low. Although the fear receded from their eyes, the wariness did not. Their lord was not one to give something for nothing. He expected an equivalent benefitin political advantage, murder, or money. Neither of them could conceive what they could offer that would be the equivalent of this prize. |
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"I want to be sure, very sure, that Lady Alinor is treated as she deserves," John continued with a broad smile. |
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"You may be sure, my lord," Fulk said passionately. |
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"Indeed you may," Henry assured him also, "and that if she be given to me she will live long enough to see her son die and her daughter broached." |
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Fulk began to elaborate on his own briefer statement, but although John nodded agreeably, he held up a restraining hand. |
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"I am sure you will equally do your best to make Lady Alinor's life full and complete," the king purred, "and that neither of you would be dissuaded from your purpose by the disapproval of my lily-livered great lords. |
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